The No. 14 Texas Tech men’s basketball team survived a late scare on Saturday, holding off Colorado for a 73-71 win at the CU Events Center. The Red Raiders carried a 16-point lead into halftime and weathered a furious second-half push from the Buffaloes, who closed to two points in the final minute. Colorado’s last-second 3-pointer rimmed out, allowing Texas Tech to escape with a critical conference road victory.
Donovan Atwell led the way for the Red Raiders with 17 points, making five 3-pointers that punctuated key moments, including one that ended Colorado’s 9-0 run and another that pushed Tech’s lead to 69-58 late in the second half. JT Toppin continued his streak of double-doubles, recording 16 points and 13 rebounds, while LeJuan Watts contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds along with six assists. Christian Anderson added 15 points, three assists, and three steals, and Jaylen Petty posted a career-high nine rebounds alongside eight points. Despite all four players finishing with four fouls each, the Red Raiders managed to maintain composure in the closing seconds.
Texas Tech shot 35.5% from beyond the arc, with Atwell hitting five of his 13 attempts, while Anderson and Petty each added two triples. Colorado struggled from deep, making only six of 21 shots, but their free-throw accuracy kept them within striking distance, converting 19 of 22 opportunities compared to Tech’s 4 of 10. The Red Raiders dominated the glass 46-36, including 16 offensive rebounds, a key factor in holding off the Buffaloes’ rally.
The first half set the tone for the win. After trailing early, Tech took the lead at 19-18 and finished the half on a 16-point advantage, highlighted by Anderson’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Toppin and Atwell both reached double-digit scoring before halftime, and the team’s ball control—turning the ball over only twice while forcing seven Buffalo turnovers—helped build the cushion. The Red Raiders return home for a two-game homestand, facing Utah and then No. 9 BYU, aiming to extend their perfect 8-0 home record.
Meanwhile, the No. 17 Texas Tech Lady Raiders made history with a 71-60 win over Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena, marking their first-ever victory against the Bearcats. The win keeps Tech undefeated at 18-0 and 5-0 in Big 12 play, fueled by strong performances on both ends of the court. Bailey Maupin and Snudda Collins each scored 17 points, while Denae Fritz delivered a career-high six steals and added 13 points, five rebounds, and multiple assists and blocks.
The Lady Raiders overcame an early Cincinnati lead, responding with timely scoring from Maupin, Collins, and Fritz. A dominant second quarter turned the game in Tech’s favor, as the team scored 32 points, including the final 16 of the half, taking a 40-23 lead into halftime. Defensive pressure, particularly from Fritz, disrupted Cincinnati’s rhythm and created fast-break opportunities that Tech capitalized on consistently.
Cincinnati made runs in both the third and fourth quarters, cutting into Tech’s lead, but the Lady Raiders responded with clutch baskets and timely three-pointers from Maupin and Fritz. Collins also converted an and-one play and added free throws to help maintain separation. Tech’s sharpshooting from three, going 10-for-24, and strong inside presence ensured the Bearcats could never fully close the gap.
The Lady Raiders now turn their attention back home, hosting the Houston Cougars on Tuesday. With balanced scoring and lockdown defense, they continue to build confidence as one of the nation’s top teams. Both Texas Tech programs showcased their depth and resilience on Saturday, proving capable of thriving under pressure while maintaining their high-level performances in Big 12 play.
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